Rivers PDP And The First Ever Female Deputy Governor: An Accelerated Winning Strategy
To all readers and contributors to Issues Abattoir and indeed the general public who keep faith with The Newswriter Tabloid, “Happy Prosperous New Year” and welcome back to another year of robust, dynamic, eventful and fruitful year, especially a year saddle with election exercise. Without you, the public, our job would be incomplete, so it is our heartfelt desire to congratulate you for crossing over to another wonderful year. Once again, Happy New Year.
As the National general election gets to its peak in Nigeria, several activities had taken place within the last three weeks, precisely from December 18th, 2014 to date. Some of these political activities were the emergence of some governorship candidates, unveiling of running mates as well as possible reconciliations of angry aspirants, supporters.
One of such event was the systematic ambush and winning strategy of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, when it patiently waited for its senior opponent the All Progressive Congress, APC, to unveil the running mate to its governorship candidate Dr. Dakuku Adolphus Perterside in the person of Hon. Asita O. Asita.
It was jamboree for members of the All Progressive Congress when Hon. Asita was unveiled as the would be number two citizen of Rivers State, probably with the mindset that PDP may unveil any of the aggrieved governorship aspirants perhaps one of the suspected aspirants who may have purchased nomination form through the benevolence and antics of the APC group.
But, contrary to anticipated opinions of very few and premature politicians the Peoples Democratic Party, played one of its wonderful cards and winning strategies to the shocking of all when it eventually announced that, it was going to unveil a female as running mate to Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike its standard bearer.
Yes, it was glaring that the PDP would have its running mate from the Kalabari extraction, but little did many especially those outside the PDP mainstream knew it was going to be a woman. And when the announcement was brokered, very many were not only contemplating who such a woman could be, but doubted and concluded it was one of PDP’s antics.
What a pleasant surprises, a winning strategy, of the PDP for unveiling not a mere or ordinary woman but such a quintessence of womanhood who would not only add flavor to the PDP government led by Barr. Wike but also strive to bring to beer the importance of female folk by not only providing wrappers to women rather encouraging them on a better way of life base on her professional prowess.
Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo, a bureaucrat, when elected would be the ever first female deputy governor produced in Rivers State since its creation in May 27th, 1967 but not in Nigeria, as Lagos and Akwa-Ibom States have had that feet.
Frankly speaking, the unveiling of Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo on Tuesday 30th December, 2014 was not only a shocker but had generated some cold in certain quarters of the state especially among the APC faithful. At that point what many thought as one of PDP gimmicks was no longer a play rather reality as announced, then the challenge that PDP is on course to reclaim its lost pride in the state quickly arose and become more alive as tension grips many without direction and focus.
The implications of PDP’s desire, decision, and action are numerous in the affirmative.
Now, the Kalabari extraction in the state like their Ogoni counterpart demanded for the governorship slot which according to them it would be in return for their contributions to the growth of the state. Of course all ethnic nationalities in the state were not left out in the struggle for the libration or creation of Rivers State, as contained in several published literatures including “A Synopsis of the Founding Fathers of Old Rivers State” by Isaac Amini-Philips at the Blue Print Limited 2005.
Isaac Amini-Philips also chronicled the efforts and contributions of some political organizations and party’s influence in that regard, so there is no doubt that if any group or ethnic nationality would agitate for what it considers as its rights.
But, unlike the Ogonis, the Kalabari are however blessed to be considered for the deputy governorship slot. This, it is believed as an act of God in this dispensation because they never rejected to be second fiddle as those who believed they are first born of Rivers State and must not play second fiddle but are not even considered for third or fourth fiddle by their preferred platform.
Would the Kalabaris let this silver opportunity go? The answer is No. a respected Kalabari citizen and activist, Opunabo Nkotaria and other Kalabari organizations had provided this answer severally while throwing Kalabaris support for the PDP and its Presidential candidate.
Not because they provided the answer, the simple analogy is that when the desirable is not available, then the available becomes an option for a proper and better preparation ahead.
Again, irrespective of the Kalabaris producing a governorship candidate on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, which is not a force in the state, a vote for her deputy governorship slot would be most beneficial than voting for one who would not see the light of day.
If the acclaimed agent of change has no trusted population, how then the LP which is rarely heard could win next month general elections. Unarguably, LP could win some seats, not governorship seat since there are some questions its candidate is yet to clarify arising from the 2007 governorship tribunal, especially why he abandon the matter in court and later became governor Amaechi’s Personal Assistance.
With the three Local Government Areas of the Kalabari Kingdom, turning in their bloc votes for PDP, victory is sure even as women groups in the area are seriously mobilizing for massive votes, it could be said that, Dr. Ipalibo’s choice is a welcome strategy.
A wind of positive change has blown in Rivers State where women have gotten the eluded awareness even with the practice of 35 percent affirmative action. Today, the 35 percent action becomes real for the female world, that all including those on the other side are struggling to queue in. having successfully unveil a female deputy governor in Rivers, it is considered that the 35 percent affirmative action as practiced at the federal level is indeed real in Rivers, hence the joy of the female folk.
While the Kalabaris turns in bloc votes, there is the anticipation that the Ogonis would also not be left out since there is hope for better placement for them in the PDP, as the PDP emerge winner.
One thing is sure, in the upcoming administration, efforts, work and votes is said to play major role as considerations would be given to areas with more commitment like Senator Magnus Ngei Abe would say, “If Andoni gives me more votes than Gokana, Andoni will also benefits more”. This is expected to be the reward of the outcome of February, 2015 elections irrespective of the principles of federal character.
To crown it all, with the supports from other ethnic groups, LGA’s and above all the female wings of the society, the Peoples Democratic Party have not only demonstrated an accelerated winning strategy but also welcome the policy of gender equality.
As much as this feet is applauded, it is the believe that prize for service would also be the reward of those who have labored over the years at various levels of the party. Bravo!!!###
With James Mgboineme
